Infrared endoscopic balloon probes

ABSTRACT

Balloon probes, adapted for use in endoscopy and other medical procedures, are useful to obtain spectroscopic information reflected or emitted from a tissue of interest in the infrared spectral region. The information collected by the probe is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The invention also relates to methods utilizing these probes to analyze a surface of interest, in a minimally invasive manner, in connection with the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/098,957 filed Sep. 3, 1998.

Rights in the Invention

[0002] This invention was made with support from the National Institutesof Health, and the United States government has certain rights in theinvention. Reference to Related Applications

BACKGROUND

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to probes useful in endoscopy andother procedures, and more particularly to balloon probes adapted toobtain spectroscopic information in the infrared spectral region. Theinvention also relates to methods that utilize these probes to analyze asurface of interest in connection with the diagnosis and treatment ofdisease.

[0005] 2. Description of the Background

[0006] Numerous minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment devices andmethods of using them have been developed. Two such categories ofdevices are endoscopes and balloon catheters.

[0007] Endoscopes have proved useful in the examination of internalsurfaces, in connection with various surgical and diagnostic procedures.However, conventional endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, gastroscopes,bronchoscopes, and angioscopes, are limited in their ability to detectall pathology present or provide unequivocal identification ofabnormalities. These devices typically collect reflected visible lightfrom a lumen, which may be expanded with water or gas, for simple visualevaluation of the tissue surface of interest. If a definitive diagnosisof the type of pathology or disease present in the tissue is needed, atissue specimen is typically removed or biopsied and submitted forpathologic testing. Unfortunately, the biopsy process increases the riskof complications to the patient, such as hemorrhage, infection, andpossible perforation of the organ or vessel under examination.

[0008] In addition to endoscopic devices that collect reflected visiblelight to produce an image allowing for simple visual evaluation,endoscopes that detect fluorescence emitted following excitation oftissue with a radiation source have also been described. One such deviceincludes a visible light source, an optional endoscopic probe, opticalsensors, a filter, a detector, and a display monitor. One or twowavelengths of visible light, preferably blue and red/near-infraredlight, is directed to the tissue of interest, and remittance andautofluorescence is then detected, integrated/processed and displayed(U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,660 to MacAulay). This device does not incorporateballoons into the probes to facilitate optical coupling, to allowinfrared-based evaluation of the diseased tissue.

[0009] Another device, useful for diagnosing the condition of GI tissue,utilizes fiber optics to detect emitted fluorescence followingexcitation radiation treatment (U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,337 toRichards-Kortum). In addition, devices which detect precancerous lesionsusing a mercury arc lamp endoscope (U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,368 to Zeng),devices which monitor and determine pre-existing physical properties ofan organ by excitation with UV light (U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,252 to Vari),and devices which determine bilirubin concentration in tissue usingreflectance spectroscopy (U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,790 to Jacques) have alsobeen described. However, these devices do not combine balloon endoscopeswith infrared radiation to detect diseased tissue.

[0010] Balloon catheters, like endoscopes, have been routinely used fordiagnostics and treatment. Typical uses of conventional ballooncatheters include procedures such as angioplasty and embolectomy.However, prior to the present invention, these conventional balloondevices could not be used in procedures in which infrared light isemitted in close proximity or directly onto a tissue surface, followedby collection of the light reflected or emitted from the tissue ofinterest, due to moisture and fluids in the surrounding environment.

[0011] The use of infrared radiation in catheters and endoscopic devicesis complicated by the fact that water and most bodily fluids are opaqueto infrared light. Consequently, even the slightest amount of moistureon the collection end of an endoscopic probe impairs the collection ofinfrared light. As a result, conventional endoscopes and ballooncatheters cannot be used in infrared procedures where moisture or bodilyfluids are present.

[0012] Fiber optic laser catheters and endoscopes having a protectiveshield over the probe tip have been described as useful in connectionwith the diagnosis and removal of atherosclerosis. In one such device,an optical fiber(s) carrying laser radiation is mounted in a catheterhaving a transparent protective optical shield over its distal end (U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,318,024 and 5,125,404 to Kittrell). The fiber(s) is anchoredwithin the catheter so that there is an appropriate distance or spacebetween the output end of the fiber(s) and the tip of the shield. Theintervening space may be filled with fluid, optical surfaces may beoptically contacted, or they may be anti-reflection coated to reducereflections and maximize transmitted light. The catheter may be insertedinto a blood vessel and the shield brought into contact with a plaque orobstruction site.

[0013] In this device, the protective optical shield mechanicallydisplaces blood at the region to be analyzed and also protects thedistal tip of the optical fiber(s) from intra-arterial contents. Bylocally displacing blood, the shield allows viewing of the tissue ofinterest without the need for a purge or flush. The optical shield maybe in the form of glass, fused silica, sapphire or other opticallytransparent material. A flexible balloon over the tip of the probe mayalso be used as an optical shield. A different balloon may be used toprovide an anchor point for positioning the catheter during use.

[0014] Although the shields of these devices protect a probe tip fromblood contaminants, the use of a single balloon to both anchor andprotect the tip of the probe from infrared opaque contaminants, whichsimultaneously allows optical coupling in the infrared region betweenthe probe tip and the tissue surface has not previously been described.The Kittrel devices are designed for use with visible light. Inaddition, probes incorporating two anchoring balloons which allow theevacuation of a lumen and its subsequent filling with an infrared lucentcoupling fluid are also not described.

[0015] As can be seen, because of the challenges posed by the effect ofmoisture on infrared light transmission, available endoscopic devicesand catheters are limited in their ability to access and evaluate tissueand/or the lumen of vessels and organs using infrared light. There istherefore a need for a relatively non-invasive device which allows foroptical coupling of a probe to the tissue or surface of interest,thereby allowing thorough evaluation and diagnosis of tissues and/or thelumen of vessels and organs using infrared radiation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages associatedwith current strategies and designs and provides new devices and methodsfor obtaining diagnostic information through the use of endoscopicballoon probes, particularly those utilizing infrared (IR) spectroscopy.

[0017] Probes-according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention include an IR-transmitting single or multiple fiber endoscope,which is connected to a high resolution spectrometer. Infrared spectraare collected and used for diagnosis. The use of spectroscopy with afiberoptic endoscope allows the collection of high resolutioninformation in the infrared spectral region from diseased tissue. Thepresent invention allows for rapid and accurate analysis of an organ,despite the presence of moisture, without the need for a tissue biopsyand its potential complications, such as hemorrhage, perforation andinfection. In addition, by using the anchoring balloons in conjunctionwith the endoscopic probes, collection of diagnostic spectra,particularly infrared radiation, in the lumen of a vessel or organ iseven further enhanced. The novel balloon configurations displace anyopaque fluids which may be present and allow optical coupling of theprobe to the tissue of interest.

[0018] In addition, multiple fibers may be paired with hyperspectralimaging techniques. Each fiber's data may be processed to provide asingle pixel. The pixels produced by each individual fiber may beincorporated into an imaging array and/or translated into an image orother display optimized so that it may be readily interpreted or read bythe user.

[0019] Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention is directed to aprobe device which is useful for collecting infrared radiation from asurface of interest. The collected radiation is analyzed to provideinformation about the tissue surface. The probe device of thisembodiment comprises a collection fiber which has a proximal end, adistal collection end opposite the proximal end adapted to collectinfrared radiation, and an infrared conductive core located between theproximal end and the distal collection end. A sheath surrounds a portionof the collection fiber. A first anchoring balloon is preferablydisposed on the sheath. The distal collection end of the collectionfiber may be nested inside or disposed inside the balloon. Thisconfiguration displaces the opaque fluids which may be present,optically couples the probe to the tissue when the balloon is inflated,and protects the collection end of the probe from contamination.

[0020] Alternately, the first anchoring balloon may be disposed on thesheath between the proximal end and the distal collection end of thefiber and a second anchoring balloon may be disposed on a portion of thesheath that extends distally past the distal collection end of thecollection fiber. When the two balloons are inflated, the void createdbetween the balloons and the lumen wall may be filled with an infraredlucent fluid, displacing any infrared opaque fluids. This allows opticalcoupling of the collection end of the probe to the tissue surface, andprotects the end of the probe from contamination.

[0021] Another embodiment is directed to a probe device having aplurality of collection fibers adapted to collect light, which ispreferably infrared light. The probe device of this embodiment comprisesan imaging collection fiber bundle comprising a plurality of collectionfibers, each of the plurality of collection fibers comprising a proximalend, a distal collection end opposite the proximal end, and a conductivecore located between the proximal end and the distal collection end. Afirst anchoring balloon is disposed on the fiber bundle; preferably itis disposed so that the distal collection ends of the plurality ofcollection fibers are disposed inside the balloon. Alternately, it mayhave the two balloon configuration previously described.

[0022] Another embodiment is directed to an endoscopic probe having acollection fiber which has a proximal end, a distal collection endopposite the proximal end adapted to collect infrared light, and aconductive core located between the proximal end and the collection end.The probe also has an illumination fiber having a distal illuminationend adjacent the distal collection end of the collection fiber, and aproximate end coupled to the illumination source. An infrared lucentanchoring balloon is positioned on the probe such that the distalcollection end of the collection fiber and the illumination end of theillumination fiber is disposed in the balloon. The illumination fiberpreferably provides infrared light.

[0023] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an endoscopicprobe comprising a toroidally-shaped anchoring balloon, having a centralhole or bore therethrough, and a collection fiber adapted to collectinfrared radiation. The fiber has a distal collection end disposedinside the central hole of the balloon.

[0024] The present invention is also directed to methods for obtaininginformation about a surface of interest. One such method comprises thesteps of positioning a probe adjacent to the surface of interest,collecting infrared light using the probe, transmitting the infraredlight from the surface to analyzing means, and analyzing the infraredlight to determine one or more properties of the surface. In thisembodiment, the probe preferably comprises a collection fiber, thecollection fiber comprising a proximal end, a distal collection endopposite the proximal end adapted to collect infrared light, and aninfrared conductive core located between the proximal end and the distalcollection end, and at least one anchoring balloon disposed on theprobe.

[0025] Another embodiment is directed to a method for obtaininginformation about a surface of interest, comprising the steps ofpositioning a probe adjacent to the surface of interest, collectinginfrared light using the probe, transmitting the infrared light from thesurface to analyzing means, and analyzing the light to determine one ormore properties of the surface. In this embodiment, the probe preferablycomprises a light collection fiber bundle comprising a plurality ofcollection fibers adapted to collect infrared light, each of theplurality of collection fibers having a proximal end, a distalcollection end opposite the proximal end, and a conductive core locatedbetween the proximal end and the distal collection end. A first balloonmay be positioned on a sheath between the proximal end and thecollection end of the plurality of collection fibers and a secondballoon disposed on the sheath distal to the collection ends.Alternately, a balloon may be disposed on the probe such that the distalcollection ends of the fibers lie inside the balloon.

[0026] Still another embodiment is directed to a method for obtaininginformation about a tissue surface, comprising the steps of collectinginfrared radiation from the tissue surface using a probe placedproximate to the tissue surface, the probe having a longitudinal axis,transmitting the infrared radiation from the tissue surface to a remoteanalyzer, and analyzing the infrared information to determine propertiesof the tissue. The remote analyzer may comprise a spectrometer anddetector array.

[0027] Although preferred embodiments of the invention are directed toprobes having fibers and optical coupling means uniquely suited for thecollection and analysis of infrared wavelengths, as will be clear tothose of skill in the art, in other embodiments, additional fibers maybe incorporated into the probes, so that other wavelengths (in additionto infrared) may be collected and analyzed.

[0028] Other objects and advantages of the invention are set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part, will be obvious fromthis description, or may be learned from the practice of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 Longitudinal cross-section of a probe device according to afirst embodiment of the present invention, showing an illumination fiberin phantom.

[0030]FIG. 2 Longitudinal cross-section of a probe device according to asecond embodiment of the present invention, showing a multi-fiberconfiguration in phantom.

[0031]FIG. 3 Longitudinal cross-section of a probe device according to athird embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 4 Longitudinal cross-section of a probe device according to afourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] As embodied and broadly described herein, the present inventionis directed to probe devices useful in a wide variety of medical andother procedures, including, but not limited to, endoscopic proceduressuch as thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, angioscopy and biopsy. Specifically,the present invention relates to balloon probes adapted to obtainspectroscopic information in a desirable spectral range, such as in theinfrared spectral region. The invention also relates to methods thatutilize these probes to analyze a surface of interest, such as inconnection with the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

[0034] The present invention overcomes the problems inherent in the useof infrared radiation in a moist environment by providing novel meansfor bringing the collection end of the optic fiber into unobstructedoptical contact with the tissue surface. The novel balloonconfigurations prevent interference with infrared excitation andcollection due to moisture, which has made the use of infrared radiationin conventional scopes impossible.

[0035] Probes according to the present invention are advantageous inthat they may be used to detect the composition or other qualities of atissue surface in a non-invasive manner. For example, by detecting thefrequencies and intensities of infrared light reflected or emitted fromthe wall, information about chemical bond energies can be obtained in anon--invasive manner. This bond energy information can then betranslated into information about the composition of the wall and usedas a diagnostic aid.

[0036] The probe devices and methods of the present invention can beused to determine tissue viability (i.e., whether tissue is dead orliving, and whether it is predicted to remain living), detecting tissueischemia (e.g., in heart, or in leg after a gunshot wound),differentiating between normal and malignant cells and tissues (e.g.,delineating tumors, dysplasias and precancerous tissue, detectingmetastasis), differentiating between infected and normal (but inflamed)tissue (e.g., extent of aortic root infection), quantification andidentification of pathogens, and differentiating and delineating otherpathologic states. Applications further include evaluation of tissue andblood chemistry, as well as examining the chemistry of blood vesselwalls, including lipid and plaque characteristics and determiningeffects of lipid-lowering agents.

[0037] The probes and apparatus of the present invention may also beapplied by veterinarians to animals, by dentists to dental applications,such as periodontal disease, and by pathologists in connection withforensic evaluation of a tissue of interest.

[0038] In addition, instruments according to the invention permit asurgeon or a physician to diagnose a medical condition or develop asurgical strategy based on real-time spectroscopic information obtainedduring surgery or in the course of performing clinical procedures orother medical evaluations. As a result, the physician is able to readilyobtain significantly more information about a patient's condition thanhe or she might otherwise have been able to obtain. This additionalinformation may permit a given surgical procedure to be carried out moreefficiently, leading lead to more successful surgical results.

[0039] The general-purpose nature of instruments according to thepresent invention can help a surgeon develop significant amounts ofmedical information in time-critical surgical situations. For example, apatient may undergo surgery during which the surgeon may wish toevaluate a tumor, an area of blood vessel abnormality, or anotherpathological condition. Using the present invention, the physician canquickly determine the nature and extent of the pathology while thepatient is still under anesthesia. This is particularly beneficialduring major surgery, where significantly extending surgery durationincreases morbidity and mortality risk. Because the devices of thepresent invention allow for rapid and minimally invasive procedures, thepatient's overall risk is reduced. The immediate diagnosis andevaluation possible using the devices of the present invention providesignificant benefits to the patient.

[0040] A preferred embodiment of one probe device according to thepresent invention is depicted in FIG. 1. In the figures, like referencenumerals refer to like features or elements so that a furtherdescription thereof is omitted. Referring to FIG. 1, probe or probedevice 10 includes a sheath 12, an optical fiber 14, and a balloon 16.Balloon 16 has a wall 17. Sheath 12 is a flexible hollow tube thatallows optical fiber 14 of probe 10 to be threaded along a guide wireinserted by a physician, although rigid or semi-rigid probes that do notrequire a guiding mechanism may also be used. A needle or other suitablemeans may also be used to guide the probe into place.

[0041] Suitable optical fibers useful in the present invention include,but are not limited to infrared fibers, such as fluoride-based glasses,chalcogenide glass fibers, sulfide-based fibers and telluride-basedfibers. In a preferred embodiment, fluoride-based glass fibers are used.In another embodiment, chalcogenide glass fibers with low optical lossin the 2-11 μm wavelength region are used. Another embodiment of theinvention may incorporate sulfide-based fibers, which transmit in the1-6 μm region. Alternately, another embodiment may use telluride-basedfibers which transmit in the 2-11 μm region. In yet another embodiment,mixtures of fibers may be used. Current minimal optical loss for glasscladded sulfide fibers is 0.4 dB/m at 2.6 μm. The minimal optical lossfor telluride fibers is 0.7 dB/m at 6.6 μm. An anti-reflection (AR)coating may be applied to fiber end faces to increase transmission.

[0042] Optical fiber 14 includes a distal optical collection end 20 anda proximal optical end 26, and may include a bend 22. Distal collectionend 20 is responsive to a surface of tissue of a patient. Bend 22 ispreferably disposed proximate to collection end 20, between collectionend 20 and proximal optical end 26. Proximal optical end 20 is opticallycoupled to spectrometer 32, such as by lens 28. Spectrometer 32 iscoupled to optical detector 30. Spectrometer 32 is used to select one ormore desired wavelengths which are transmitted to an optical detector 30for measurement.

[0043] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, balloon 16 may be a standardangioplasty balloon designed for application to blood vessels. However,balloons of other sizes and shapes may also be employed depending on theintended application. Preferably, the balloon is infrared lucent orvirtually infrared lucent when inflated. For example, teflon may be usedto make a suitable balloon. By making the balloon very thin wheninflated, any minor opacity to infrared light may be digitallysubtracted from the signal using known techniques.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, when inserted, collection end 20 of theoptical fiber 14 is disposed inside the lumen of balloon 16. Collectionend 20 may directly contact the balloon wall. Alternately, there may bea gap between collection end 20 and the balloon wall 17 when the balloonis inflated.

[0045] In operation, probe 10 is inserted into an opening, such as anorifice or incision in a patient, and it is threaded until collectionend 20 of the fiber is positioned (inside balloon 16) proximate oradjacent to the exposed tissue surface of interest. Balloon 16 is theninflated, such as via an inflation channel in sheath 12 with an infraredlucent gas or liquid. A preferred infrared lucent fluid is dry nitrogengas. However, the media or medium chosen may be determined by thespecific purpose and location of the procedure. Following inflation,collection end 20 is brought into close proximity or is opticallycoupled to the exposed tissue wall or surface of interest 18.

[0046] The optical coupling provided by the balloons of the inventionallows the collection end of the probe to emit and collect infraredlight unimpeded by infrared opaque fluids, such as water, blood or otherbodily fluids. For example, the surface may be a lumen wall such as thewall of a blood vessel, the lining of an intestine, a chamber of theheart (e.g., to look for signs of rejection), or other appropriate lumenwall in the patient. The surface to be examined can also be created byan incision, such as an incision in the breast. The probes of thepresent invention may be used in procedures examining body cavities orany type of lumen, including fetoscopic and laparoscopic procedures.

[0047] Bend 22 in the fiber permits collection end 20 to collect lightfrom a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of thecore of fiber 14. In radial-looking embodiments, a mirror or prism mayoptionally be used to collect light at an angle to the longitudinal axisof the fiber core. Alternately, a fiber with a straight end may be usedto collect light from a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis ofthe fiber.

[0048] By inflating the balloon with an infrared lucent fluid,collection end 20 of fiber 14 is optically coupled to the tissue surface18. Light, including, but not limited to, infrared radiation emittedfrom or reflected by the wall, is thus transmitted along fiber 14 to thespectrometer and detector by total internal reflection (TIR). In apreferred embodiment, detector 30 is sensitive in the infrared spectralregions, allowing spectrometer 32 to present an infrared image orspectrum to the surgeon. Detector 30 is preferably sensitive towavelengths of at least 800-25,000 nanometers (nm) and more preferably,to wavelengths ranging from 3,000-14,000 nm, and most preferably, towavelengths of 6,000-12,000 nm. The acquired spectrum may be presenteddirectly to a physician or it may be analyzed by a computer to assistin-identifying attributes of the tissue surface.

[0049] The light received by collection end 20 of fiber 14 may besupplied to the area of interest from source 34 through illuminationfiber 36. Illumination fiber 36 has a proximate end 39 optically coupledto light source 34, and a distal illumination end 41 adjacent tocollection end 20. The light may also be emitted from within the tissuesurface itself (e.g., bioluminescence), or it may be transmitted throughthe tissue surface from the other side of the tissue surface. By usingfibers which are transparent in the ultraviolet region, further spectralinformation, including information attributable to fluorescence, may beobtained. Optionally, as will be clear to those of skill in the art, asingle fiber may be used to both illuminate and collect, for example, byusing a beam splitter to allow both excitation and collection with asingle fiber.

[0050] Spectrometers useful in the present invention include dispersive,fixed or tunable bandpass devices. Preferred spectrometers includeFourier transform interferometers or dispersive monochromators. Usefulimaging spectrometers include dielectric bandpass filters and liquidcrystal tunable filters (LCTFs). The spectrometer and detector may beincorporated into a single device. Preferred illumination sourcesinclude infrared ceramic sources, such as a globar, or tunable infraredlasers. Other illumination sources include quartz tungsten halogen (QTH)bulbs (near infrared) and broad band visible bulbs.

[0051]FIG. 2 depicts a second embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 2, second probe device or probe 40 includes sheath 42,optical fiber 44, proximate balloon 46 and distal balloon 48. Opticalfiber 44 includes distal optical collection end 50, proximal optical end56, and bend 52 disposed proximate to collection end 50. Probe 40 maydiffer from probe 10 in that the collection end 50 is not in appositionwith or disposed inside the balloon, but instead sits between the distaland proximate balloons. The collection ends of probe 40 may or may notbe in apposition with tissue surface 18. Sheath or conduit 42 alsoincludes opening 65 which connects or allows communication between theinside of sheath 42 with volume 64. Volume 64 is defined by proximateballoon 46, distal balloon 48, and tissue surface 18. Proximal opticalend 56 of fiber 44 is functionally coupled to detector 58, such as adetector array, via a spectrometer.

[0052] Probe 40, like probe 10 of the first embodiment, may beimplemented as a single-fiber or multi-fiber probe by providing one ormore additional fibers 54 that run next to first fiber 44 in a bundle.Fibers 54 may each include a bend 62 in a different plane causing fibers54 to diverge radially from first fiber 44 and from each other.Alternately, the fibers may have axially offset bends 62 in the sameplane. Each of the fibers 54 has a distal collecting end 60 and aproximate end 66, which may be coupled to an additional detector 68 viaa spectrometer. The first detector 58 and the additional detector(s) 68may form part of a detector array, such as a focal plane array (FPA).Alternately, the multiple fibers in this embodiment may be serviced by asingle detector and an optical multiplexer.

[0053] In operation, probe 40 is positioned in the area of interest, anddistal and proximate balloons 46 and 48 are inflated. This createscavity or enclosed volume 64 between the two balloons 46 and 48 andlumen wall 18. In a lumen where there is fluid flow, such as a bloodvessel, the upstream balloon is preferably inflated first. With bothballoons inflated and in place, an infrared transparent coupling fluid(i.e., a gas or liquid) may be introduced into the cavity 64 via opening65 in sheath 42. This optically couples the collection end 50 or ends50, 60 to surface 18 of the lumen wall. Radiation received at each fibercan then be transmitted to its respective detector 58, 68, and thesignals received by the different detectors can be displayed, such as alinear circumferential image of the lumen wall 18, or otherwiseprocessed.

[0054]FIG. 3 depicts a third embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 3, probe or probe device 70 includes sheath 72,balloon 76 and fiber 74. Fiber 74 has a distal collection end 77 and aproximal end 79. In this embodiment, the fiber or fibers may be, butneed not be, fixed to an outer surface 73 of balloon 76. Probe 70 mayfurther include a bend 75, or a reflector that redirects light fromcollection end 77 into the fiber 74. The fiber or fibers may beintroduced separately from the balloon using a guidewire. Apposition tothe wall may be accomplished by simple inflation of balloon 76.

[0055] Although probes 10, 40 and 70 are occlusive, probes 10 and 70 mayemploy an autoperfusion balloon to allow antegrade blood flow duringinflation. The balloon may be toroidally shaped. The balloon may have apassage 78 that is either centrally located or offset from the center.For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, passage 78 allows fluidcommunication between proximate end 71 a and distal end 71 b of balloon70. Probe 40 is less conducive to the addition of a passage, although arigid sheath section may be provided that begins at the distal end ofthe distal balloon and ends at the proximate end of the proximalballoon.

[0056]FIG. 4 depicts a fourth embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 4, probe or probe device 80, which may be used as anangioscope, includes collection fiber 84, illumination fiber 86, andsheath 82. The two fibers 84 and 86 are arranged generally in parallel.Collection fiber 84 has a collection end 90, a bend 92, and a proximalend 96. Illumination fiber 86 has a distal end 100, a bend 102 and aproximate end 106. The two fibers are also surrounded by a flexiblesheath 82 that is preferably smaller than the diameter of the lumen ofinterest, and includes a bend 112 that generally follows bends 82 and 92in the two fibers. Like the other embodiments, probe 80 may include morethan one collection fiber. In a preferred embodiment, probe 80 does notoccupy the entire diameter of the lumen of interest, and thereforeallows fluids such as blood to pass through the lumen while theassessment is being made. Alternately, this embodiment may be designedwith an occlusion balloon or balloons and a perfusion lumen.

[0057] The embodiments described above preferably employ bends to orientthe collection ends of the fibers, causing the light to be redirected bytotal internal reflection. However, any other suitable means fororienting the collection ends may be substituted for these bends. Forexample, in addition to bends, the means for orienting the collection oflight may include mirrors, prisms or crystals to orient light collectionby the fibers. Different coupling methods may also be employed to couplethe light to the tissue surface and to couple light from the tissuesurface into the fiber, such as lenses, prisms, or waveguides. Forexample, in one embodiment, an assembly made up of a looped fiber with acrystal tip at a bend in the loop is used to acquire light energy.

[0058] In various embodiments of the invention described herein whichincorporate bends in the fibers, the probe may be inserted without thefiber or with the fiber retracted so that the area of the fiber with thebend lies within the sheath or analogous structure. After the probe isin position, the fiber may then be advanced out of the sheath (i.e.,through a hole in the wall or an opening in the end of the sheath),causing the bend to deploy radially. For example, in one embodiment, aprobe may comprise a collection fiber having an intrinsic bend. Thefiber is moveably disposed in a sheath, such that the bend deploys asthe distal end of the fiber is advanced through a hole in the sheath.

[0059] As will be clear to those of skill in the art, in the embodimentof FIG. 1, the balloon and fluid in the balloon function as part of thetotal optic system. The balloon is made so that it is preferablyinfrared lucent when inflated with infrared lucent fluid. As such, theillumination and collection of infrared light is virtually unimpeded.The balloons in the embodiments of both FIGS. 1 and 2 also function inpreventing fouling of the optic fiber(s).

[0060] Balloons of the present invention may have a coating on theirexterior surface that contacts the tissue of interest and interacts withsaid tissue. The balloon coating may comprise agents such as, forexample, proteins, antigens, tissue stimulants, effector molecules andchemicals. The effect of contacting the tissue of interest with theballoon coating can then be analyzed according to the methods of theinvention. The use of a coated balloon allows for a defined area to beimpacted. Balloons of the present invention may also be useful inactively exciting or affecting a tissue of interest through effects suchas changing the temperature of the tissue, or by distending, stretchingor otherwise mechanically interacting with the tissue. By stretching ordistending tissue, examination of tissue can be further optimized.

[0061] Preferably, the probes of the present invention are adapted tocollect and analyze infrared light and preferably process images fromimage planes acquired at wavelengths in the infrared region. Optionally,the probe devices, including their detectors, may be sensitive to andcapable of detecting and analyzing other spectra of light. For example,probes may alternately or additionally be sensitive to the visibleand/or near infrared regions. The devices may operate in multispectral,and hyperspectral, or even ultraspectral imaging modes.

[0062] Multispectral modes involve image processing derived from arelatively small number of spectral image planes (two wavelengths toabout twenty wavelengths). Hyperspectral and ultra spectral imagingmodes involve at least twenty image planes and can produce significantlymore accurate and informative results. Ultraspectral modes involvehundreds of wavelengths, and may be able to produce even furtherinformation about the surface under analysis; Hyperspectral imaging mayinclude selecting specific wavelength bands for discrimination of aparticular diseased state, or it may also allow the instrument to scanfor multiple conditions at the same time.

[0063] The probe devices of the present invention, which are designed tocollect and analyze specific wavelengths, have a number of potentialapplications. For example, wavelengths of about 550 and wavelengths ofabout 575 associated with oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin may be collected andevaluated to determine blood oxygenation. The relationship between thesewavelengths is described in “Hemoglobin: Molecular Genetics and ClinicalAspects,” by H. Franklin Bunn and Bernard Forget, W. B. Sanders, 1986.Another example would involve the collection and analysis of the Fouriertransform infra-red spectra of the colon and rectum as described in“Human Colorectal Cancers Display Abnormal Fourier Transform Spectra,”by Basil Rigas et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Science,pp. 8140-8144, 1987. As will be clear to those of skill in the art, theprobe devices of the present invention may be designed to collect andanalyze other wavelengths, depending on the intended application.

[0064] One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a probedevice adapted to collect and analyze infrared radiation. The probedevice comprises a collection fiber, the collection fiber comprising aproximal end, a distal collection end opposite the proximal end adaptedto collect infrared radiation, and an infrared conductive core locatedbetween the proximal end and the collection end. Preferably, the fiberis flexible. A sheath surrounds a portion of the collection fiber, and afirst anchoring balloon is disposed on the sheath. The probe device mayfurther comprise a spectrometer optically coupled to the proximal end ofthe collection fiber and a detector, such as a detector array,functionally coupled to the spectrometer, to detect infrared radiationfrom the proximal end of the collection fiber. For example, a detectorsuch as a mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector may be opticallycoupled to the spectrometer. Alternately, if the light is predispersed(i.e., the spectrometer is on the source rather than the detector), adetector element functionally coupled to the proximal end of thecollection fiber may be disposed at or near the collection end of thecollection fiber, and may even contact the surface of interest.

[0065] The instrument may further include a processing circuitfunctionally connected to the radiation detector. The processing circuitis preferably operative to translate the level of detected radiationinto a measurable signal that is indicative of the level of damage ordisease in the tissue. The signal may be directly evaluated, or it maybe compared to stored reference profiles, to provide an indication ofchanges from previous levels or trends in the patient's health ordisease state.

[0066] The probe preferably has an illumination fiber which has a distalillumination end adjacent or in close proximity to the distal collectionend of the collection fiber and a proximate end optically coupled to anillumination source. Preferably, the illumination fiber is an infraredtransmitting fiber, and the illumination source is an infrared sourcesuch as a globar. The sheath-preferably surrounds a portion of both thecollection fiber and the illumination fiber. Alternately, the collectionfiber may comprise a beam splitter, which allows both excitation andcollection of infrared light by a single collection fiber.

[0067] Rather than the use of an illumination fiber and remoteillumination source, the probes of the present invention may alternatelycomprise a light source attached at the end of the probe or otherwisecontained within the balloon. The balloon may also serve as an opticalfilter for both the illumination light as well as the collected light.Alternately, a light source may be provided from a separate sourcelocated on one side of the tissue of interest, while the probe islocated on the other side of the tissue. In this embodiment, the probeand the light source effectively create a sandwich, with the tissue ofinterest in the middle, thereby allowing transmitted light to becollected by the probe. This sandwich embodiment also allows forvolumetric analyses to be carried out on the tissue, in addition tosurface assessment.

[0068] An optical coupler, such as a curved or focusing mirror or a lensmay be used to optically couple the proximal end of the collection fiberto the spectrometer. The spectrometer is used to select one or morewavelengths which are transmitted to a detector, such as a detectorarray.

[0069] The collection end of the fiber is preferably adapted to collectlight radiating or reflecting in a radial direction with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the fiber. To accomplish this, the probe devicepreferably includes means proximate the collection end to orient thecollection end in a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axisof the fiber core. This may be accomplished, for example, by a bend inthe fiber core. Other means for orienting the collection of infraredlight by the fiber, in addition to bends, include mirrors, prisms andcrystals.

[0070] An advantage of the present invention is the ability to obtaininformation in a lumen or other area where space is restricted. In oneembodiment, the total diameter of the collection fiber, sheath andballoon are small enough to permit them to be inserted into mammalianblood vessels. For example, the total diameter of the collection fiber,sheath and balloon may have a diameter of less than 4 mm, and morepreferably, less than 2 mm when the first balloon is maximally inflated.Alternately, the balloons may be designed so that they can be used inthe lumen of a larger organ, such as intestine. For example, the balloonor balloons may have a diameter greater than 1-5 cm.

[0071] The collection fiber may be disposed in a variety of ways withrespect to the first balloon. For example, in one embodiment, thecollection fiber penetrates the wall of the balloon between thecollection end and the proximal end such that the distal collection endlies inside the balloon. Alternately, the collection end of thecollection fiber may be positioned adjacent to the outside of the wallof the balloon. A plurality of collecting fibers may be disposed in thesheath and used to collect radiation. In embodiments involving multiplecollecting fibers, the fibers may surround the balloon, or thecollection ends may be disposed inside the balloon. In embodiments wherethe collection end or ends lie inside the balloon, the balloon and theliquid or gas used to inflate the balloon are preferably infraredlucent.

[0072] The probe device may alternately include a second anchoringballoon disposed on a portion of the sheath that extends distally pastthe collection end of the collection fiber (i.e., it extends in adirection opposite the proximal end of the probe device). In thisembodiment, the first balloon is disposed on the sheath between theproximal end and the collection end of the collection fiber and thesecond balloon is disposed on the distal portion of the sheath. Anopening may be disposed in the sheath between the first and the secondballoons. When this probe device is disposed in a lumen, the balloonsmay be inflated, and a fluid, preferably an infrared transparent orlucent fluid, is infused through the opening in the sheath to fill thevoid defined by the first and second balloons and the wall of the lumen.

[0073] As noted, it may be desirable to allow fluid flow past the probedevice. In such instances, for example, those with a single balloon, apassage may be provided through the balloon to allow fluid communicationbetween the proximate end and the distal end of the balloon.

[0074] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to aprobe device having an imaging collection fiber bundle comprising aplurality of collection fibers, each of the plurality of collectionfibers comprising a proximal end, a distal collection end opposite theproximal end, and a conductive core located between the proximal end andthe collection end. A first anchoring balloon is disposed on the fiberbundle. The probe device may further comprise a spectrometer and adetector, such as a detector array, responsive to the proximal end ofthe plurality of collection fibers to acquire an image. The collectionfibers preferably conduct infrared light, but other fibers may be usedwhich conduct other wavelengths of light such as visible, UV and/or nearinfrared light. As with the previous embodiment, the probe device mayinclude an illumination fiber having a distal illumination end adjacentthe collection ends of the collecting fibers.

[0075] In one embodiment of a multi-fiber probe, there may be a centralillumination fiber surrounded by multiple collection fibers. Forexample, six collection fibers (or any desired number) may be placedcircumferentially around a center illumination fiber in a hexagonalconfiguration, and may be oriented to efficiently collect the light. Inanother embodiment, a multi-fiber probe may comprise a plurality ofcollection fibers and a plurality of illumination or excitation fibers;in this embodiment each of the collection fibers may be associated withor disposed adjacent to its respective excitation fiber.

[0076] With respect to multi-fiber embodiments, the light or datacollected by each fiber may provide a single pixel of information forincorporation into an image or other display. The image is preferablyoptimized to facilitate interpretation. For example, a two dimensionalplanar image may be produced from circumferential data.

[0077] A novel feature of balloon probes according to variousembodiments of the invention relates to the incorporation of the ballooninto the actual optical path. For example, in one embodiment, the distalcollection ends are disposed inside the wall of the balloon. Thisballoon is made of an infrared lucent material (or is virtually infraredlucent due to its thickness when inflated) and filled with an infraredlucent fluid to form a part of the optical path in a single fiber probe.In multiple fiber probes, this balloon may be compartmentalized. In thelatter embodiment, the balloon may be partitioned into a plurality ofdifferent or separate sacs or compartments. The collection ends of thecollection fibers are each disposed in a separate compartment.

[0078] In multi-fiber embodiments incorporating two anchoring balloons,the first balloon may be disposed between the proximal and distalcollection ends of the collection fibers. Further, a conduit may beprovided, which passes through a first anchoring balloon, and has aportion which extends distally past the distal collection end of theplurality of collection fibers. This embodiment has a second anchoringballoon attached to the portion of the conduit that extends distallypast the distal collection end of the plurality of collection fibers. Anopening may be provided in the conduit between the first and secondballoons allowing fluid communication with the space between the firstand second balloons.

[0079] With respect to single balloon embodiments, the plurality ofcollection fibers in the fiber bundle may be positioned adjacent to theoutside of the wall of the balloon, and may form a bundle that surroundsthe balloon. Alternately, the distal collection ends of the plurality offibers may be disposed inside the wall of the balloon, and the balloonmay serve as part of the coupler and collection device. In thisembodiment, the collection ends are preferably close to or contact theballoon wall in operation. The balloon may be partitioned into aplurality of separate compartments with the collection ends eachdisposed in a separate compartment.

[0080] The fiber bundle may be flexible, and may include means proximatethe collection end of each fiber to orient the collection ends in aradial direction with respect to the axis of the core of the fibers,such as bends in the fiber cores. Mirrors, prisms and crystals may alsobe used as a means for orienting collection of light. In a preferredembodiment, the bends in the fiber cores orient the plurality ofcollection fibers in at least two different directions.

[0081] In this embodiment, the detector may comprise a focal plane arraysuch as a mercury cadmium telluride plane array or a microbolometerarray. The device may further comprise an optical multiplexer such as adigital micro mirror array.

[0082] Instruments according to the present invention may also includeimaging optic means within the probe, a spectral separator opticallyresponsive to the imaging optic means, and an imaging sensor opticallyresponsive to the spectral separator. The spectral separator may be atunable filter and the imaging sensor may be a two-dimensional imagingarray, such as a focal plane array. The instrument may optionallycomprise a diagnostic processor having an image acquisition interfaceresponsive to the imaging sensor. The diagnostic processor may also havea filter control interface to which the spectral separator isresponsive.

[0083] The diagnostic processor may also include a general-purposeprocessing module and diagnostic protocol modules, which may eachinclude filter transfer functions and an image processing protocol. Thegeneral-purpose processing module may be operative to instruct thefilter to successively apply the filter transfer functions to lightcollected from the patient, to acquire from the imaging sensor a numberof images of the collected light each obtained after one of the filtertransfer functions is applied, and to process the acquired imagesaccording to the image processing protocol to obtain a processed displayimage. The general-purpose processor may be a real-time processoroperative to generate a processed display image within a time period onthe order of the persistence of human vision. It may also be operativeto acquire some images more slowly depending on the number ofwavelengths and complexity of diagnostic processing protocol. The sensorand filter may be operative in the visible, infra-red, and UV regions.

[0084] In embodiments involving multiple fibers, light from each fibermay be processed to generate an individual pixel for that fiber. Thepixels may then be arranged so that they form an image or display whichcan be readily interpreted or read by the user.

[0085] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an endoscopicballoon probe having an infrared light source. This embodiment includesa collection fiber, the collection fiber comprising a proximal end, adistal collection end opposite the proximal end adapted to collectinfrared light, and a conductive core located between the proximal endand the distal collection end, an illumination fiber having a distalillumination end adjacent the distal collection end of the collectionfiber, and a proximate end coupled to an infrared illumination sourcesuch as globar or other means to orient image collection. An anchoringballoon is disposed on the probe such that the distal collection end ofthe collection fiber and the distal illumination end of the illuminationfiber are disposed inside the balloon. Preferably the balloon isinfrared lucent. A sheath may surround a portion of the collection fiberand a portion of the illumination fiber. The collection fiber may have abend to orient the collection end in a radial direction with respect tothe axis of the conductive core, or may use other means to orient imagecollection.

[0086] The present invention is also directed to novel methods foranalyzing or obtaining information about the properties of a tissue orother surface of interest. One such method for obtaining informationabout a surface of interest comprises the steps of positioning a probeadjacent to the surface of interest, collecting infrared light using theprobe, transmitting the infrared light from the surface to analyzingmeans, and analyzing the light to determine one or more properties ofthe surface. The probe preferably comprises a collection fiber, thecollection fiber comprising a proximal end, a distal collection endopposite the proximal end adapted to collect infrared light, and aninfrared conductive core located between the proximal end and the distalcollection end, and a first anchoring balloon disposed on the probe. Thestep of collecting infrared light preferably comprises collectinginfrared light in the vicinity of the collection end of the probe thatshines or radiates in a direction generally or substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The steps ofanalyzing preferably comprises spectroscopic analysis. More preferably,the step of analyzing comprises imaging spectroscopy.

[0087] In a preferred method, the-distal collection end of the probelies inside the balloon, and the balloon protects the collection end ofthe probe from moisture and fouling. Alternately, the probe furthercomprises a sheath which surrounds a portion of the collection fiber. Afirst anchoring balloon is disposed on the sheath between the proximaland distal collection end of the collection fiber. The sheath has aportion that extends distally past the collection end of the collectionfiber, and the probe further comprises a second anchoring balloondisposed on the portion of the sheath distal to the collection end. Whenthe tissue of interest is disposed in a lumen, the method may furthercomprise the steps of inflating the first balloon and the second balloonto create an enclosed volume defined by the first balloon, the secondballoon and the lumen, and completely or partially filling the volumewith a fluid, such as dry nitrogen gas. The balloons may be inflatedsequentially to facilitate this process. For example, when the probe isinserted in a blood vessel, the upstream balloon may be inflated first,followed by the downstream balloon. The upstream balloon may be thefirst or the second balloon, depending on whether the probe is insertedantegrade or retrograde into the vessel. The fluid used to fill thevolume may be an infrared lucent gas or liquid, including opticalcoupling fluids such as dry nitrogen gas. In a preferred embodiment ofthe method, the distal collection end of the collection fiber isinserted into the enclosed volume after the balloons are inflated andthe volume is filled with liquid.

[0088] Another embodiment is directed to a method for obtaininginformation about a surface of interest comprising the steps ofpositioning a probe adjacent to the surface of interest, collectinglight using the probe, transmitting the light from the surface toanalyzing means, and analyzing the light to determine one or moreproperties of the surface. Preferably, the probe comprises a lightcollection fiber bundle comprising a plurality of collection fibersadapted to collect infrared light, each of the plurality of collectionfibers comprising a proximal end, a distal collection end opposite theproximal end, and a conductive core located between the proximal end andthe distal collection end. The probe is preferably adapted to collectinfrared light. The step of collecting light preferably comprisescollecting light in the vicinity of the collection end of the probe thatradiates or shines in a direction generally or substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The step ofanalyzing preferably comprises spectroscopic analysis, such as imagingspectroscopy, standard or otherwise. Preferably, an anchoring balloon isdisposed on the probe such that the distal collection ends are disposedinside the wall of the balloon.

[0089] Alternately, the probe may further comprise a sheath disposedaround the fiber bundle, a first anchoring balloon disposed on thesheath between the collection ends and the proximal ends of theplurality of fibers, and a second anchoring balloon disposed on thesheath distal to the collection ends of the plurality of fibers. As withthe previous method, when the tissue of interest is disposed in a lumen,the method may further comprise the steps of inflating the first balloonand the second balloon to create an enclosed volume defined by the firstballoon, the second balloon and the lumen, and emptying the volume orfilling the volume with a fluid. The fluid is preferably infraredlucent. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the distal collectionends are inserted into the enclosed volume after the balloons areinflated and the volume is filled with the fluid.

[0090] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a probe inwhich the distal collection end of one or more collection fibers isdisposed in the central hole of a toroidally-shaped anchoring balloon.This embodiment may optionally comprise one or more illumination orexcitation fibers disposed so that the distal illumination end of thefiber or fibers are also disposed in the central hole of the balloon. Inthese embodiments, excitation light from the distal illumination end ofthe illumination fiber passes through the inner wall of the balloon, thecoupling fluid and the outer wall of the balloon to reach the tissuesurface. Likewise, light coming from the tissue surface passes throughthe outer wall of the balloon, the coupling fluid and the inner wall ofthe balloon to reach the distal collection end of the probe.

[0091] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to amethod for obtaining information about a tissue surface, comprising thesteps of collecting infrared radiation from the tissue surface using aprobe placed proximate to the tissue surface, the probe having alongitudinal axis, transmitting the infrared radiation from the tissuesurface to a remote analyzer and analyzing the infrared information todetermine properties of the tissue surface. The step of analyzing maycomprise spectroscopic analysis, such as imaging spetroscopy, standardor otherwise. In addition, the step of collecting and transmitting maybe performed using multiple fibers in the probe. The step of collectinginfrared radiation may comprise collecting infrared light in thevicinity of a collection end of the probe that radiates or shines in adirection generally or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the probe. Preferably, the probe has means for opticallycoupling the collection end of the probe to the tissue surface. Suchmeans include all of the various balloon configurations previouslydescribed. For example, the means for optically coupling may comprise ananchoring balloon disposed around a collection end of said probe.Alternately, the means may comprise a first anchoring balloon and asecond anchoring balloon disposed on said probe such that a collectionend of said probe is positioned between said first and said secondanchoring balloons. The two balloons may be inflated as previouslydescribed, thereby removing or minimizing the presence of infraredopaque substances between the tissue surface and probe tip.

[0092] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step ofproviding a source of infrared radiation adjacent to the opposingsurface of the tissue surface being analyzed, and the step of collectingcomprises collecting the radiation transmitted through the tissue to theprobe.

[0093] Although the preferred embodiments disclosed herein are directedto probes collecting infrared light, as will be clear to those of skillin the art, other forms of electromagnetic radiation, including but notlimited to visible light, near-infrared light, or any desired wavelengthmay be collected by appropriate modifications to the probe. Theballoons, sheaths, collection fibers and/or illumination fibersdescribed herein may be disposable. In addition, although the probes ofthe invention have been described primarily as useful in connection withmedical procedures, they may be used to evaluate any other desiredsurface.

[0094] Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from consideration of the specification andpractice of the invention disclosed herein. All references cited herein,including all U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications,including, but not limited to, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSerial No. 60/098,957 and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/182,898, arespecifically and entirely incorporated by reference. The specificationand examples should be considered exemplary only with the true scope andspirit of the invention indicated by the following claims.

1. A probe device, comprising: a collection fiber, said collection fibercomprising: a proximal end; a distal collection end opposite saidproximal end adapted to collect infrared radiation; and an infraredconductive core located between said proximal end and said distalcollection end; a sheath surrounding a portion of said collection fiber;and a first anchoring balloon disposed on said sheath, said balloonhaving a wall.
 2. The probe device of claim 1, further comprising aspectrometer optically coupled to said proximal end of said collectionfiber and a detector array functionally coupled to said spectrometer todetect infrared radiation from said proximal end of said collectionfiber.
 3. The probe device of claim 2, wherein the detector array issensitive to wavelengths of between 6,000 nm and 12,000 nm.
 4. The probedevice of claim 1, further comprising an illumination fiber, saidillumination fiber having a distal illumination end adjacent to saiddistal collection end of said collection fiber and a proximate endoptically coupled to an illumination source.
 5. The probe device ofclaim 4, wherein said sheath surrounds a portion of said illuminationfiber.
 6. (canceled).
 7. The probe device of claim 2, further comprisingan optical coupler for optically coupling said proximal end of saidcollection fiber to said spectrometer.
 8. The probe device of claim 7,wherein said optical coupler comprises a lens.
 9. The probe device ofclaim 1, wherein said collection fiber is flexible.
 10. The probe deviceof claim 1, further comprising means proximate to said distal collectionend to orient said distal collection end in a radial direction withrespect to a longitudinal axis of said fiber core.
 11. The probe deviceof claim 10, wherein said means proximate to said distal collection endto orient said distal collection end in the radial direction comprises abend in said fiber core, and wherein said bend deploys radially whensaid distal collection end is advanced through a hole in said sheath.12. The probe device of claim 1, further comprising means for orientingthe collection of infrared light by the collection fiber, said meansselected from the group consisting of a bend, a mirror, a crystal or aprism.
 13. The probe device of claim 1, further comprising a detectorelement functionally coupled to said collection fiber to detect infraredradiation from said proximal end of said collection fiber, wherein saiddetector element is disposed at or near the collection end of thecollection fiber.
 14. The probe device of claim 1, wherein the totaldiameter of said collection fiber, sheath and balloon have a diameter ofgreater than 1 cm when said first balloon is maximally inflated.
 15. Theprobe device of claim 1, wherein the total diameter of said collectionfiber, sheath and balloon have a diameter of less than 4 mm when saidfirst balloon is maximally inflated.
 16. The probe device of claim 1,wherein said distal collection end of said collection fiber ispositioned inside the wall of said first anchoring balloon.
 17. Theprobe device of claim 1, wherein said distal collection end of saidcollection fiber is positioned adjacent to the outside of said wall ofsaid balloon.
 18. The probe device of claim 1, further comprising asecond anchoring balloon, and wherein said sheath has a distal portionextending past said distal collection end of said collection fiber, andwherein said first anchoring balloon is disposed on said sheath betweensaid proximal end and said distal collection end of said collectionfiber and said second anchoring balloon is disposed on said distalportion of said sheath.
 19. The probe device of claim 18, furthercomprising an opening in said sheath between said first and said secondanchoring balloons.
 20. The probe device of claim 1, wherein said firstanchoring balloon comprises a proximate end and a distal end, and apassage through said first anchoring balloon to allow fluidcommunication between said proximate end and said distal end of saidfirst anchoring balloon.
 21. The probe device of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of collecting fibers disposed at least partly insaid sheath for collecting infrared radiation.
 22. The probe of claim 1,further comprising an interactive coating on said first anchoringballoon.
 23. The probe of claim 22, wherein said coating is selectedfrom the group consisting of proteins, antigens, stimulants, effectormolecules and chemicals.
 24. A probe device comprising: an imagingcollection fiber bundle comprising a plurality of collection fibersadapted to collect infrared radiation, each of said plurality ofcollection fibers comprising a proximal end, a distal collection endopposite said proximal end, and a conductive core located between saidproximal end and said distal collection end; and a first anchoringballoon disposed on said fiber bundle, said balloon having a wall. 25.The probe device of claim 24, wherein said distal collection ends ofsaid plurality of collection fibers are disposed inside said wall ofsaid first anchoring balloon.
 26. The probe device of claim 24, furthercomprising a spectrometer and a detector array optically coupled to saidproximal end of said plurality of collection fibers to acquire an image.27. The probe device of claim 26, wherein said detector array issensitive to wavelengths of between 6,000 nm and 12,000 nm.
 28. Theprobe device of claim 24, wherein said first balloon, sheath, collectionfiber or combinations thereof are disposable.
 29. The probe device ofclaim 24, further comprising an illumination fiber having a distalillumination end adjacent to said distal collection ends of saidplurality of collection fibers and a proximate end coupled to anillumination source.
 30. The probe device of claim 24, wherein saidfirst anchoring balloon has a toroidal shape.
 31. The probe device ofclaim 24, further comprising a conduit passing through said wall of saidfirst anchoring balloon and having a portion extending distally pastsaid distal collection ends of said plurality of collection fibers, anda second anchoring balloon, said second anchoring balloon being attachedto said portion of said conduit that extends distally past said distalcollection end of said plurality of collection fibers.
 32. The probedevice of claim 31, wherein said conduit has an opening between saidfirst and second balloons allowing fluid communication with a spacebetween said first and second balloons.
 33. The probe device of claim24, wherein the light collected by each of said collection fibersprovides a single pixel for incorporation into a display.
 34. The probedevice of claim 25, wherein said distal collection ends of saidplurality of collection fibers are positioned adjacent to the inside ofsaid wall of said first balloon.
 35. The probe device of claim 24,wherein said plurality of collection fibers in said fiber bundle arepositioned adjacent to the outside of said wall of said balloon to forma bundle that surrounds said first balloon.
 36. The probe device ofclaim 24, wherein the light collected by the plurality of collectionfibers is translated into an image optimized to facilitateinterpretation.
 37. The probe device of claim 24, wherein said fiberbundle is flexible.
 38. The probe device of claim 24, further includingmeans proximate said distal collection end of each fiber to orient saiddistal collection ends in a radial direction with respect to alongitudinal axis of the cores of said fibers.
 39. The probe device ofclaim 38, wherein said means proximate said distal collection end toorient said distal collection ends in a radial direction comprises bendsin said fiber cores.
 40. The probe device of claim 39, wherein saidbends in said fiber cores orient said plurality of collection fibers inat least two different directions.
 41. The probe device of claim 38,further comprising means for orienting the collection of infrared lightby the plurality of collection fibers, said means selected from thegroup consisting of a bend, a mirror, or a crystal.
 42. The probe deviceof claim 26, wherein said detector array comprises a focal plane.
 43. Anendoscopic probe comprising: a collection fiber, said collection fibercomprising a proximal end, a distal collection end opposite saidproximal end, and a conductive core located between said proximal endand said distal collection end; an illumination fiber having a distalillumination end adjacent said distal collection end of said collectionfiber and a proximate end coupled to an illumination source; and ananchoring balloon positioned on said probe such that said distalcollection end and distal illumination end are disposed inside saidballoon.
 44. The probe of claim 43, wherein the probe further comprisesa sheath surrounding a portion of said collection fiber and a portion ofsaid illumination fiber.
 45. The probe of claim 43, wherein the balloonis infrared lucent.
 46. (canceled).
 47. A method for obtaininginformation about a surface of interest, comprising the steps of:positioning a probe adjacent to said surface of interest, said probecomprising a collection fiber, said collection fiber comprising aproximal end, a distal collection end opposite said proximal end adaptedto collect infrared light, and an infrared conductive core locatedbetween said proximal end and said distal collection end, and a firstanchoring balloon disposed on said probe; collecting infrared light fromsaid surface using said probe; transmitting the infrared light collectedfrom said surface to analyzing means; and analyzing the infrared lightto determine one or more properties of said surface.
 48. The method ofclaim 47, wherein said probe has a longitudinal axis and the step ofcollecting infrared light comprises collecting infrared light in thevicinity of said collection end of said probe that radiates in adirection generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of saidprobe.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein said collection fiber ismoveably disposed in a sheath having a hole, and said collection fiberfurther comprises a bend in the core which deploys radially as thecollection fiber is advanced through said hole in said sheath.
 50. Themethod of claim 47, further comprising the step of distending thesurface of interest by inflating said first balloon to optimize analysisof the surface.
 51. The method of claim 47, wherein the step ofanalyzing comprises spectroscopic analysis.
 52. (canceled).
 53. Themethod of claim 47, wherein the probe further comprises a sheathsurrounding a portion of said collection fiber wherein said firstanchoring balloon is disposed on said sheath between said proximal endand said distal collection end, and said sheath extends distally pastsaid distal collection end and wherein said probe further comprises asecond anchoring balloon disposed on said sheath distal to said distalcollection end, and wherein said surface of interest is disposed in alumen, and the method further comprises the steps of inflating saidfirst anchoring balloon and said second anchoring balloon to create anenclosed volume defined by said first anchoring balloon, said secondanchoring balloon and said lumen, and filling said volume with a fluid.54. The method of claim 53, wherein said anchoring balloons are inflatedsequentially.
 55. The method of claim 53, wherein said fluid comprisesan infrared lucent gas.
 56. The method of claim 53, wherein said fluidcomprises an infrared lucent liquid.
 57. The method of claim 53, furthercomprising the step of inserting said distal collection end of saidcollection fiber into the enclosed volume after inflating said first andsecond anchoring balloons and filling the volume with said fluid.
 58. Amethod for obtaining information about a surface of interest, comprisingthe steps of: positioning a probe adjacent to said surface of interest,said probe comprising a light collection fiber bundle comprising aplurality of collection fibers adapted to collect infrared light, eachof said plurality of collection fibers comprising a proximal end, adistal collection end opposite said proximal end, and a conductive corelocated between said proximal end and said distal collection end;collecting infrared light from said surface using said probe;transmitting the infrared light collected from said surface to analyzingmeans; and analyzing the infrared light to determine one or moreproperties of said surface.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein theprobe further comprises an anchoring balloon having a wall disposed onsaid probe such that the distal collection ends of said plurality ofcollection fibers are disposed inside said wall of said anchoringballoon.
 60. The method of claim 58, wherein said probe has alongitudinal axis and the step of collecting light comprises collectinglight in the vicinity of said distal collection ends of said probe thatradiates in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof said probe.
 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the plurality ofcollection fibers are moveably disposed in a sheath and wherein saidcollection fibers each have a bend therein that deploys in a radialdirection as the distal ends of the collection fibers are advancedoutside of the sheath.
 62. The method of claim 58, wherein the step ofanalyzing comprises spectroscopic analysis.
 63. The method of claim 58,wherein said probe further comprises a sheath disposed around said fiberbundle, a first anchoring balloon disposed on said sheath between saiddistal collection ends and said proximal ends of said plurality offibers, and a second anchoring balloon disposed on a said sheath distalto said distal collection ends of said plurality of fibers and whereinsaid surface of interest is disposed in a lumen, and the method furthercomprises the steps of inflating said first anchoring balloon and saidsecond anchoring balloon to create an enclosed volume defined by saidfirst anchoring balloon, said second anchoring balloon and said lumen,and filling said volume with a fluid.
 64. The method of claim 63,wherein said fluid comprises an infrared lucent gas or liquid.
 65. Themethod of claim 63, further comprising the step of inserting said distalcollection ends of said plurality of collection fibers into the enclosedvolume after inflating said first and second anchoring balloons andfilling the volume with said fluid.
 66. A method for obtaininginformation about a tissue surface, comprising the steps of: collectinginfrared radiation from said tissue surface using a probe placedproximate to said tissue surface; transmitting the infrared radiationcollected from said surface to a remote analyzer; and analyzing theinfrared radiation to determine properties of said tissue surface. 67.The method of claim 66, wherein the step of analyzing comprisesspectroscopic analysis.
 68. The method of claim 66, wherein the step ofcollecting and transmitting is performed using multiple fibers in saidprobe.
 69. The method of claim 66, wherein said probe has a longitudinalaxis and the step of: collecting infrared radiation comprises collectinginfrared light in the vicinity of a collection end of said probe thatradiates in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof said probe.
 70. The method of claim 66, wherein said probe comprisesmeans for optically coupling said probe to said tissue surface to permittransmission and collection of infrared light.
 71. The method of claim70, wherein said means for optically coupling comprises an anchoringballoon disposed around a collection end of said probe.
 72. The methodof claim 70, wherein said means for optically coupling comprises a firstanchoring balloon and a second anchoring balloon disposed on said probesuch that a collection end of said probe is positioned between saidfirst and said second anchoring balloons.
 73. The method of claim 66,wherein said tissue surface is disposed on a tissue, said tissue havingan opposing surface disposed opposite said tissue surface, and whereinthe method further comprises the step of providing a source of infraredradiation adjacent said opposing surface, and the step of collectingcomprises collecting the radiation transmitted through the tissue to theprobe.
 74. An endoscopic probe comprising: a toroidally-shaped anchoringballoon having a central hole there through; and a collection fiberadapted to collect infrared radiation, said fiber having a distalcollection end, said distal collection end being disposed inside saidcentral hole of said balloon.
 75. The probe of claim 74, furthercomprising an illumination fiber having a distal illumination end, saiddistal illumination end being disposed inside said central hole of saidballoon.